ITALIAN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 24 December 1917, Page 5

ITALIAN FRONT.

ITALIAN PROGRESS. COUNTER-ATTACKS REPULSED. Received 10.5. LONDON, Dec 23. An Italian official states that despite adverse atmospheric conditions in the Monte Asolone region we progressed and repulsed counter-attacks. AUSTRIANS MAKE ANOTHER STEP. LONDON, Dec 22. Mr Ward Price writes: The capture of Monte Asolone is unwelcome news, but, the capture is not highly important. It takes the enemy another step towarffiToutflanking Mount Grappa, and also gives the enemy a direct view of the gorge of San Lorenzo, enabling them to shell Italian communications. The Austrians have not yet reached prepared positions, where the Italians are defending the plain, and where they will be able to put up their best fight EOME, December 22. In the Chamber, the Minister of Munitions announced that the Italians today reconquered Monte Asolone. ITALIANS REGAIN LOST GROUND LONDON, Dec 22. Wireless Italian official. —In the region of Asolone, on the front eastward of the Brenta, we recaptured a considerable portion of ground lost on Tuesday. We dispersed strong coun-ter-attacks on Monte Pertica. . AUSTRIANS DENY ITALIAN SUCCESS. LONDON, Dec 22. Wireless German official.— The * Italians seven times afTackSfi the heights won westward of Monte Asolone. They thrice attacked Monte Solarolo. All attacks failed. AUSTRIANS’ TREACHERY. AMSTERDAM, Dec 22. In the Reichsrath, the Minister of War said that the offensive in Italy had been delayed owing to the Czechs’ treachery. It was planned to begin in September, but there was a sudden Italian attack near Carcano, resulting in the whole first line being lost owing to a Czech lieufenant betraying all the positions. The whole plan of the offensive had to he changed, as all the battery positions' were T)etrayed.